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ROCHESTER, N. Y 



BOARD OF EDUCATION 



BY-LAWS 



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MccrcK, 1882. 



ROCHESTER. N. Y. : 

UNION AND ADVFRTISER COMPANY'.-, BOOK AND JOK PRINT, 

1882. 



By Com. Kingsley : 



Board of Education, Feb. 20, 1882. 



Resolved^ That the Superintendent in connection with the 
Law Committee, arrange and codify the by-laws of the Board 
preparatory for publication, so as to include the various 
changes and ameniments that have been made since they were 
last published. 

Adopted. 

In pursuance of the above we hereby certify that we have 
carefull}' compiled the various ainendments to the by-laws 
that have been made from time to time since their last publi- 
cation, and further certify that the following is a true, com- 
plete and correct copy of the by-laws as amended and now in 
force. 

H. A. KITsGSLEY, 

ALFRED F. CORK, \ Law Com. 

C. NICHOLAS EASE, 

C. N. SIMMONS, Sup't. 



BY-LAWS 



OF THE 



BOARD OF EDUCATION 



Adopted April Uh, 1881 and including all amendments 
to Maich \st, 1882. 



ARTICLE I. 



OKGANIZATION. 

At the first regular meeting required to be held by the citv 
charter, the Superintendent of Schools shall call to order and 
read the City Clerk's certificate of the election of School Com- 
missioners for the currenc year; and the persons whose names 
are included in such certificates, together with the members 
holding over, a majorit>^ being present, shall appoint a tempo- 
rary chairman from their number, and proceed^by^a mva voce 
vote to elect a president, superintendent, Aschool carpenter 
policeman, assistant librarian, engineer and janitor of the free 
academy, and messenger. W henever a vacancy occurs in 
either of the offices above named, the Board shall fill the same 
bv a mva voce vote, but a concurring vote of a majority of all 
the members of the board shall be necessary to make such 

appointment, j-4^^ amemded, April .4;^.1£,8I,)-^ 
USRARY OF iiONGR&SS 






i928 



DOCUMENTS DlWiSIOM 



BY-LAWS. 



ARTICLE II. 



PRESIDENT. 



Section 1. The president shall, at the time hereinafter 
specified for holding the meetings of the board, a majority of 
the commissioners being present, take the chair, and maintain 
the standing rules of order adopted by the board. 

Sec. 2. He shall, as soon as practicable after his election, 
appoint the standing committees. 

Sec. 3. lie shall, at the regular meeting in March, deliver 
an annual address, which, unless otherwise ordered, shall be 
published by the superintendent in his annual report. 

Sec. 4, He may call special meetings when he deems it 
necessary; and it shall be his duty, when requested by eight 
members in writing. 



ARTICLE III. 



meetings of the board. 

The regular meetings of the board shall be held on the first 
and third Monday evenings of each month, at tl>e free acad- 
emy building, unless a different place be designated by pre. 
vious notice. The hour of meeting shall be 7^ o'clock. 



4 BY-LAWS. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OKDER OF BUSINESS. 

1. Keading and approving ot the clerk's minutes of the 
previous meeting. 

2. Presentation and reference of bills and accounts, and 
communications to the board. 

3. Communications to the board from the president. 

4. Communications to the board from the superintendent. 

5. Reports of standing committees, and action thereon. 

6. Reports of select committees, and action thereon. 

7. Unfinished business of previous meeting. 

8. Other unfinished business generally. 

9. Executive business. 
10. Miscellaneous business. 

ARTICLE Y. 

Every bill, account, or other paper, shall, previous to its 
presentation to the board, be so indorsed as to clearly indicate 
the substance of its contents, and the name of the member 
presenting it ; and it shall not be in order to present any bill 
or paper not thus indorsed. 

ARTICLE YL 

All reports ot committees shall be in writing, and shall be 
filed by the clerk. All special reports shall state the facts 
substantially appearing before the committee ; and all reports 
recommending action by the board shall terminate with a 
resolution. 

ARTICLE YII. 

All resolutions and amendments thereto shall be in writing 
and read by the clerk before they shall be in order. All mo- 



BY LAWS. O 

tions and amendments shall likewise be reduced to writing, at 
the request of tlie presiding officer, and sent to, and read by 
the clerk, betore debate. 

ARTICLE VIII. 
All questions relating to the priority of business shall be 
decided by the presiding officer without debate. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The cleik shall have, at every meeting of the board, a list 
ot unfinished business of the previous meeting, and a separate 
list of unfinished business generally, in the order of its intr»- 
duction, which shall be read without motion, when unfinished 
business is in order. 

ARTICLE X. 

In all cases of the appointment of officers by the board, a 
majority of the votes of the members of the board shall be 
necessary to a choice. (As amended April 3d, IS76.) 

ARTICLE XL 

The presiding officer shall decide all questions of order 
without debate. From his decision an appeal to the board 
may always be taken by any member, and on sucli appeal 
such officer shall have the right to briefly assign his reasons 
for his decisions. 

ARTICLE XIL 

No member shall speak at any meeting more than twice on 
the same question, nor more than fifteen minutes at a time, 
except by consent of the board. 

ARTICLE XIIL 

The ayes and nays on any question before the board shall 
be taken at the call of any member thereof. The ayes and 
nays shall alwaj's be taken upon orders or resolutions direct- 
ing the payment of money. 



O BY-LAWS. 

ARTICLE Xiy. 

Every member refusing to vote on any qaestion, unless ex- 
cused by the board, shall be deemed to be in contempt, and the 
fact entered upen the clerk's minutes. 

ARTICLE XV. 

Each member shall be in his seat when a vote is beinsf taken 
and while ballots are being counted. 

ARTICLE XYL 

In all cases of entries of resolutions and motions in the 
clerk's minutes, the name of mover shall appear. 

ARTICLE XYIL 

No member shall absent himsef from the board before ad- 
journment for more than ten minutes at a time, without leave 
ot the presiding officer. 

ARTICLE XYIII. 

When a blank is to be filled, and different sums or times 
are proposed, the question shall be taken first upon the largest 
sum or longest time. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

When a question is under debate, no motion shall be enter 
tained except the following viz ; to adjourn for the previous 
question, to postpone indeffinitely, to postpone to a certain 
day, to lay on the table, to commit, or to amend ; and these 
several motions shall have precedence in the order given, 

ARTICLE XX. 

When, on taking the previous question, the board shall de- 
cide that the main question shall not now be put, the main 
question shall be considered as still remaining under debate. 
If the board shall decide that the main question shall now be 



BY LAWS. i 

put, and there shall be pending amendments, the question 
shall be at first taken upon such amendments in their order, 
and without further debate or amendment. 

ARTICLE XXr. 

The American Manual by Geo. T. Fish, of this city shall be 
the authority on parliamentary law. (As amended Feb. 16th 

1880.) 

ARTICLE XXII. 

There shall be the foilowinor standing committees of the 
board, to be ap})ointed by the president, unless otherwise or- 
dered, which shall consist of five (5) members each, viz : 

1. Committee on finance. 

2. Committee on qualification and employment of teachers. 

3. Committee on examination and organization of schools 
and grievances. 

4. Committee on text books, library and apparatus. 

5. Committee on buildings (as amended Feb. 20, 18S2.) 

6. Committee on sup])lies. 

7. Committee on fuel and fire fixtures. 

8. Committee on printing. 

9. (Committee on the free academy. 

10. Committee on law. 

11. Committee on Repairs (as amended February 20th 1882.) 

12. Committee on the division and apportionment of the 
teachers and contingent tund. 

13. Unless otherwise ordered, all special committees shall 
consist of three members, and shall be appointed byt he presid- 
ing ofiicer, and announced at the same or next subsequent 
meeting of the board. 



BY-LAWS. 



ARTICLE XXIII. 



Section 1. No committee or employee of the board shall, 
on the part of the city, enter into any contract or agreement 
involving the payment, by resolution, appropriation or other- 
wise, by the board, of money to an amount exceeding fifty*' 
dollars, without such contract or agreement having received 
the previous ratification of the board (^K& amended June 4th,. 
1877.) 

Sec. 2. All bills shall hi reporied to the board for refier- 
ence to the finance committee, at the second reo-ular meetinof 
in each month. Said bills shall be paid at the first meeting 
in each month and at no other time. No bill shall be paid at 
any meeting unless the same shall have been reported by the 
proper committee at least one week previous. (Adopted 
Sept. 18th, 1876.) 

ARTICLE XXiy. 

Upon every matter referred to a committee, such commit- 
tee, or a majority thereof, shall meet for inquiry and deliber 
ation ; and no report shall be entertained, unless a majority 
of the committee shall have actually examined and concurr- 
ed in the same, at a meeting regularly called. 

ARTICLE XXY. 

ALTERATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. 

These by-laws may be altered or amended at a regular 
meeting of the board, by a concurrence of a majority of the 
members thereof, upon giving one month's previous notice, in 
writing, of the proposed alteratiou or amendment, or by unan- 
imous consent of all memVjers of the board. 



BY LAW?. 



ARTICLE XXVI. 



DUTIES OF COMMITTEFS. 



Section 1. Comrmtt e on Finance. — The committee on 
finance shall have the supervision of all of the fiscal concerns 
of the board, and report the conditions of the various funds 
in Jnlj, November and February. They shall make the nec- 
essary estimates of money to be raised by the Common Coun- 
cil for the support uf the schools, and report the same for the 
action of the Board at the first regular meeting in May. They 
shall examine all accounts presented to the Board, and consid- 
er and report on all matters referred to them ; but they shall 
audit no bills or accounts unless countersigned by a majority 
of the Committee having such bills or accounts in charge. 
They shall, also, see that the school property is propeily in- 
sured ; but no insurance shall be effected, nor shall any ex- 
isting policies be renewed, without first reporting to the 
Board, 

Sec. 2. Committee on Qualification and Employment of 
Teachers — The Committee on Qualification and Employment 
of Teachers, shall, in connection with the Superintendent, 
examine all applicants for position in the schools ; and no 
person shall hereafter be employed to teach, either by the Com- 
mittee or the Board, who does not hold the requisite certificate 
of qualification. Hereafter, however, graduates of the Roch- 
ester Free Academy who shall have completed a three years' 
course of study and received a diploma, and also graduates of 
either of the Normal Schools of the State of New York, 
who have completed the prescribed course of study and hold 
a diploma, shall be entitled to a Teacher's certificate with- 
out further examination, which shall license them to teach in 
all the Public Schools of the city of Rochester except the 
Free Academy and the first grades as principals of Grammar 



10 BY-LAWS. 

Schools. Thej shall, at the #«t regular meeting in 
report to the board the names of such teachers as they deem 
qualified for their respective posititions, and the amount of 
salaries at which they shall severally be employed. And 
such salaries shall not be increased nor diminished except by a 
resolution of the board. Said teachers to be employed during 
the pleasure of the Board. (As amended Jan'y 15, 1877 and 
Sept. 5th 1881.) 

First Grade — Applicants for the principalship of grammar 
schools, before entering upon the duties of their positions shall 
pass an examination in orthography, spelling and defining, 
penmanship, mental and written arithmetic, English grammar, 
-geography, American history, physiology, algebra, geometry, 
constitution of the United States, astronomy, mental philoso- 
phy, and theory and practice of teaching. 

Second Grade — All others shall pass an examination in the 
same branches, except algebra, geometry, astronomy and 
mental philosophy. 

No person under eighteen years of age shall be employed to 
teach in the public schools. 

Said committee shall also, when vacancies occur, fill the 
same, and shall make such transfers of teachers as they shall 
■deem necessary, and report their action to the Board at the 
next meeting. They shall have power, and it shall be their 
duty, to suspend any teacher who shall repeatedly violate the 
rules of the Board, or whose example or influence is prejudi- 
cial to the cause of public; education in the city. 

Sec. 3. Cominittee on Examination and Organization of 
Schools and Grievances. — The Committee on Examination 
and Organization of Schools and Grievances, shall attend the 
annual examination of the several schools ; prepare, in con- 



BY-LAWS. 11 

nection with the Superintendent, and submit to the Board, 
fiiich special rules as they shall deem necessary to secure the 
most effective instruction and discipline of the schools, 
especially in reference to the arrangement of classes, the course 
of study, the order and decorum of the pupils, and their 
constant and punctual attendance. 

They shall see that the standard for promotion be such as 
will equalize the numb3r of pupils under each teacher. 

They shall consider and decide all cases of discipline report- 
ed to them by the Superintendent, arising from the enforce- 
ment of the rules of the Board, or ot the teachers. They 
shall have power to restore, suspend, or expel refractory pu- 
pils, from any school, as the necessity of the case may demand ; 
and, during suspension, or after expulsion, no pupil shall be 
admitted to any public school, without the consent of said com- 
mittee, except by resolution of the Board. 

Sec. 4. Committee on Text Books, Library and Appa- 
ratus. — It shall be the duty of the Committee on Text Books, 
Library and Apparatus, to report to the Board any ciiange 
they may deem necessary in text books for the schools, and 
such books as they may deem proper to be added to the libra- 
ry, and after the approval of the Board, to purchase the same ; 
and, in connection with the Superintendent, exercise a general 
supervision over the central library and school apparatus ; 
and, in February, make a general report of the condition and 
number of volumes in the library. 

Sec. 5. Committee on Buildings. — The Committee on 
Buildings shall have the general supervision of the construc- 
tion of new buildings and of enlarging any of the old school 
buildings, and also the improvement of sites ; and it sh:^ll be 
their duty from time to time to report to the Board upon the 



12 BY- LA Wei. 

expediency of, constructing new buildings or enlarging any of 
the old ones, and also in relation to purchasing or improving 
sites. They shall also, at the last regular meeting in March 
each year, make a detailed report in writing of the condition 
of the buildings, of the improvements made during the year ; 
also to recommend any building or improvements which they 
maj' deem necessary or expedient for the ensuing year, (As 
amended February 20th, 1882.) 

Sec. 6. Committee on Supplies. — It shall be the duty of 
the Committee on Supplies to purchase and keep in repair all 
desks, tables, and other school furniture, and provide all nec- 
essary supplies for the schools, not specially in the care of 
some other committee ; but they shall not authorize the pur- 
chasino; of any supplies or school furniture to exceed in 
amount, in any one month, the sum of SlOO, without lirs^ 
having obtained the consent of the Board ; nor shall said com 
mittee alter any school furniture, or re-seat any school room 
or building, without the consent ot the Board. 

Sec. 7. CoTnmittee on Fuel and Fire Fixtures. — It shall 
be the duty of the Committee on Fuel and Fire Fixtures, to 
advertise for and receive proposals for the necessary fuel for 
the ensuing year, and report the same to the Board for con- 
sideration, and, when authorized, contract for the same. They 
shall also provide the necessary fire fixtures for the schools ; 
but they shall not exceed in all their purchases, in any one 
month, the sum of $100, without first obtaining the consent 
of the Board. They shall, during the summer vacation, ex- 
amine the heating apparatus of the several schools, and report 
its condition, and recommend any changes or additions they 
may deem necessarv for the consideration of the Board. 

Sec. 8. Committee on Printing.— It shall be the duty ot 



BY-LAW.'*. 13 

the Commitrce on Printing to report to the Board all matter 
that, in its judgment, shmild be printed, and shall sui»eriiitend 
all printing ordered by the Board. 

Sec. 9. Committee on Free Academy. — This committee 
shall be the special guardian ot the interests of the Free 
Academy. It shall recommend suitable candidates to fill all 
vacancies that may occur in its corps of teachers, and shall, in 
connection with the Superintendent, examine all applicants 
for positions in the school. It shall, at the first regular meet- 
ing in August, report to the Board the names of such teach- 
<^rs as are deemed qualified for their respective positions, and 
the amount of salaries at which they shall severally be em 
ployed. It shall annually report such changes in the course 
of study, in the method of discipline, and in the general regu- 
lations, as it may deem expedient. It shall have power, and 
it shall be their duty, to suspend any teacher who shall re 
peatedly violate the rules of the Board, or whose example or 
influence is prejudicial to the interests of the school' It shall 
have power to suspend or expel refractory pupils of the school, 
oi- restore, as the necessity of the case njay demand ; and dur- 
ing suspension, or after suspension, no pupil shall be reinstat- 
ed without the consent of the committee, or by resolution of 
the Board. It shall, at sueh times as it may deem proper, 
consider and report upon the expediency ot erecting, altering 
or insuring the school building, or improving the grounds, and 
shall have the superintendence of any alterations that may be 
authorized by the Board. The standard for admission of pu- 
pils to the schools shall be fixed by the committee, in connec- 
tion with the Superintendent. It shall be its duty to pur- 
chase and keep in repair all desks, fire fixtures and other 
school furniture, and provide all necessary supplies for the 
school. But they shall not authorize the purchasing of any 
supplies or school furniture to exceed in amount, in any 



14 BY-LAWS. 

one month, the sum of one hundred (100) dollars, witliout 
having obtained the consent of the Board All by-laws, reso- 
lutions, or orders of the Board, in conflict herewith, are hereby 
repealed. 

Sec. 10. Committee on Law. — It shall be the duty of this 
committee to consider and report upon all legal questions aris- 
ing in the administration of the schools, and all other questions 
that may be referred to them. 

Sec. 11. Conim^ittee on Repairs. — The Committee on Re- 
pairs sliall have the general supervision of the school carpen- 
ter ; the purchasing of the lumber and materials required in 
making the repairs of the school buildings, and to have the 
general charge of leasing, altering, improving and repairing 
the school houses and their appurtenances. 

And at the last regular meeting in March in each year they 
shall make a detailed report in writing of the expenditures 
during the year, and a statement as near as may be of the re- 
pairs that will be required the ensuing year. 

Sec. 12. Comm,ittee on the Division and Apportionm,ent 
of the Teachers and Contingent Fund. — The Chairmen of 
the Finance and Teachers Committees, together with the 
Chairmen of the several committees having charge of the ex- 
penditures out uf the Contingent Fund, shall be a Standing 
Committee on the Division and Apportionment of the Teach- 
ers and Contingent Fund, and it shall be their duty imme- 
diately after the annual appropriation by the Common Coun- 
cil of the school moneys, to divide and apportion the funds 
then in the treasury for the payment of teachers' wages and 
contingent expenses, by setting apart a portion lor the pay- 
ment of teachers' and janitors' wages. Superintendent's salary 
and the salaries of the other employees of the Board (except 
school carpenter), which division and apportionment shall be 



BY LAWS. 15 

subject to the approval of the Board. A corresponding ac 
count shall then be opened by the Superintendent in the led- 
ger, and the amount thus set apart shall be passed to the 
credit of said account, to be termed the " Teachers and Em- 
ployees Account." 

The funds in this account shall be under the general charge 
of the Committee on Qualification and Employment of Teach- 
ers, and if at any time said fund in said account shall become 
exhausted the schools shall then be closed until the next an- 
nual city appropriation or until the fund is again repU-nished^ 

After the above amount has thus been set apart for the pay- 
ment of teachers' and employees' wages, the balance then re- 
maining in the contingent fund shall in like manner be equit- 
ably apportioned among the Committees on Supplies, Fuel 
and Fire Fixtures, Free Academy and any other committees 
having charge ot expenditures out of the contingent fund. 

Separate and corresponding accounts shall h'kewise be 
opened and for each of said committees, in the manner above 
specified for the '' Committee on Qualification and Employ- 
ment of Teachers." 

Any funds received during the }ear creditable to the con- 
tingent fund, viz.: tor the tuition of non-resident pupils, or 
from any other source, shall also be aivided and apportioned 
in like manner. The Board, by a vote of two-thirds of all its 
members, may transfer from one account of the contingent 
tund to another (except from the Teachers' and Employees' 
Account), but no member of the Board shall contract for any- 
thing or vote to pay for anything out of any of the said con- 
tingent fund accounts, unless there shall be funds therein to 
pay the same. 



16 BY-LAWS. 

No funds shall be drawn for any payment out of any of said 
accounts except by a vote of the Board upon orders signed by 
the President of the Board and Superintendent and in the 
manner now provided by the charter for funds in the city 
treasury to the credit of the Board of Education. 

The orders to be drawn on each of said accounts shall be 
distinguished by being printed on different colored paper 
(each account having a distinct color of its own), and shall be 
so worded that the Treasurer shall know to what fund they 
are chargeable. 

ARTICLE XXYII. 

CLERK. 

The Superintendent, in the capacity as Clerk of the Board, 
shall keep a faithful record of its proceedings, with the names 
of the members present and absent, and publish the same in 
such papers in the city as the Board shall, from time to time, 
direct; give reasonable notice of all special meetings; make 
out and submit to the Board all reports required by 
law to be made to the Common Council, or to the 
Clerk of the County, or to any other body or person, in 
such time that the same may be acted upon and com- 
pleted by the Board at the periods prescribed by law, and 
transmit the same, and perform such other duties as may 
from time to time, be imposed upon him by the Board. 

ARTICLE XX7III. 

SUPERINTENDENT. 

The superintendent, under the direction of the board, shall, 
at all times, have and exercise complete supervision over the 
public schools of the city; also over the several school houses, 
premises and appurtenances, and over all school property con- 
nected therewith- and shall faithfully perform such duties 



BY-LAWS. 17 

connected with the administration of the free school system as 
are, or shall be, required of him by law, or by the authority 
of the board, among which are the folio wing : 

Section 1. He shall, out of office hoars, devote himself 
exclusively to the visitation and supervision of the public 
schools. He shall give particular attention to the classifica- 
tion of the pupils, and shall see that the rules and regulations 
of the board are unitormly and faithfully observed in all the 
departments of the schools. 

Sec. 2. He shall devise a system uf blanks, for registers 
and reports, have charge of their distribution to teachers, and 
prescribe rules tor the keeping thereof. These blanks shall be 
adapted to show the attendance of each pupil in the schools, 
the number of those who are constant and uniform in attendance 
and those who are not,together with the degree ot ii regularity 
of the latter. He shall report,as nearly as may be, the number 
of children in the city who attend private and select schools, 
and those who are not attending any school. He shall also 
investigate the causes of truancy and irregularity on the part 
of the pupils, and devise such checks and remedies, not in- 
consistent with the rules ot the board, as he may think proper. 
He shall order a general inspection of all the schools during 
the last three weeks of the spring term. Each school shall be 
examined consecutively, in the order of its number, giving 
one day to each grammar school and one-half day to the inter- 
mediate schools. Ample Jiotice ot the time of examination 
shall be given in the daily papers. 

Sec. 3. He shall, from time to time, in connection with 
the committee on organization, ascertain whether the school 
districts are so divided as to atiord equal facilities, so far as 
may be, for all to attend the several schools, and report to the 



18 BY-LAWS, 

board such changes in boundary as may seem likely to im- 
prove the classification or lessen the expense of maintaining 
the schools, without prejudice to their efficiency. 

Sec. 4. He shall also attend or advise with anv standing; 
or special committee of the board, in respect to matters they 
may have in charge ; and shall, during the last month of the 
summer term, examine, in connection with the teachers, the 
various grades, and promote all qualified, according to the 
standard of qualification by the board. He shall, also, imme- 
diately after the close of the school year, having first given 
notice in the daily papers, examine the "A" classes of the 
.first grade of the grammar schools, and other eligible candi- 
dates, residents in the city, for promotion to the free academy. 
In the examination, pupils shall be required to write answers 
to printed questions prepared by the regents of the university, 
of the State of Kew York, and the examination shall be con- 
ducted according to rules prescribed by the regents. 

When the examination is finished, the examining committee 
shall carefully examine all the answers — which shall be filed 
at the superintendent's office — determine the per cent, of ex- 
cellence in each study, compute the average of the several 
studies, and record the whole in tabular form. From this 
statement, the committee shall designate those who are enti- 
tled to admission to the free academy. No special examina- 
tions shall be allowed ^except by order of the free academy 
committee. 

Sec. 5. He shall report to the board, at the close of che 
school year, the number of pupils promoted by him, or hj his 
direction, and the grade from which such pupils were pro- 
moted, and also the names ot the teachers from whose depart- 
ment such promotions were made. 



BY LAWS. 19 

Sec. H. He shall cjive prompt attendance to every instance 
of misconduct duly reported to him by the principal teacher 
of any school ; and if, after eyaraination, it cannot be other- 
wise redressed, he shall report the same to the committee on 
school organization and grievances for their advice. 

Sec. 7. He shall keep a record ot liis official acts, which 
shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of the board, and 
at each regular meeting thereof, he shall prepare and submit 
an abstract from the monthly reports of tlie principals of the 
schools, and communicate to the board such other information 
relating to the condition of the schools, as he may deem advis- 
able. He shall, also, annually, on the first Monday in Sep- 
tember, submit a general report, in which shall be exhibited 
in detail, the operations of the public schools during the pre- 
ceding year, their condition and prospects, and the state of ed- 
ucation in the city generally; to which shall be added such 
statistical and other information as may be deemed important, 
including an abstract of the annual and monthly reports of 
the teachers, and the detailed report of the central library 
and school apparatus , and such other statistics of the same as 
will enable the board to judge of their condition. 

Sec. 8. He shall, in connection with the committee on 
employment and qualification of teachers, direct and conduct 
the examination of teachers. 

Sec, 9. He may, under the direction and with the assent 
of the committee on employment of teachers, in case a va- 
cancy occurs in any public school during the interval betvp-een 
the meetings of the board, employ a teacher to fill tlie same ; 
but no such contract with any teacher shall be valid beyond 
the first meeting ot the board thereafter, unless the same be 
approved by the board. 



20 BY-LAWS. 

Sec. 10. He shall acquaint himself and the board with the 
school systems of other countries, states and cities ; their 
organization, modes of government, and the practical work- 
ings of their systems ; for this purpose he shall effect the best 
arrangement possible for the exchange of reports between this 
and other school boards. 

Sec. 11. The superintendent, under the direction of tlie 
committee on employment of teachers, shall have the power 
to suspend any teacher from employment, and shall report the 
same in writing, with the reason therefor, to the board at the 
next meeting thereof. 

Sec. 12. He shall, under the direction of the text book 
committee, purchase and have charge of the text books pro- 
vided for indigent pupils, or for the use of teachers, who shall 
kee|) a correct list of the same, and the schools for which they 
have beet) purchased. 

Sec. 13. Pie shall see that non-resident pupils are not ad- 
mitted to the public schools without payment of tuition, as 
follows : In the free academy, at the rate of $30 for a school 
year; in the grammar department of the public schools, at 
the rate of $20 per year; in the intermediate department $15, 
and in the primary department $10 per year, and he shall 
report the names of all teachers who retain such pupils in 
their schools unless their names have been duly reported, and 
they have been properly admitted. Any person of school 
age who shall have taken a temporary residence in the city 
for the purpose of attending school, shall be considered a non- 
resident. 

Sec. 14, As general librarian, the superintendent shall have 
charge of all the books belonging to the central library, under 
the direction of the librarj' committee, and shall be responsible 



BY-LAWS. 21 

or their delivery to his successor in office ; and shall also' 
annually, during the last week of tlie school 3'ear, cause the 
catalogue of books therein to be corrected, giving the number, 
title and condition of each book, which he shall deliver to the 
committee on libraries, to be then submitted to the board, 
with such report thereon as the committee may deem proper. 

Sec. 15. He shall call a meeting of the teachers on the 
first Saturday of the school year, and on every secoud Satur- 
day thereafter during the year. The meetings shall com- 
mence at 10 o'clock A. M., and close at 12 M. The object of 
these meetings shall be to introduce the best methods of im- 
parting instruction, and the best system of school management. 
A part of each session shall be devoted to the recitation of 
model classes from the various schools. Model object lessons 
shall also be given. 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



ARTICLE XXIX. 



DUTIES OF PRINCIPALS. 



Section 1. Principal to he Responsible for the Enforce- 
ment of the Rules of the Board., — The principal in each 
school building, as the head of the school, shall be held respon- 
sible for the enforcement of the rules and regulations of the 
board for the guidance and direction of teachers and the gov- 
ernment of tiie schools ; and he is hereby authorized and 
directed to carry them into effect. 

Sec. 2. The Principal to Visit each Department if the 
Schools Daily. — The principal in each school shall devote 
some portion of each day in visiting the other departments 
thereof, fur the purpose ot supervising the labors of the other 
teachers, and ascertaining whether all the records of the school 
are regularly and accurately kept, the pupils properly classi- 
fied, and the parents or guardians duly notified of the absence 
of their children, in all cases when the cause of such absence is 
unknown, or not satisfactory to the principal. They shall 
cause written programmes of the daily exercises of the several 
grades to be placed in some conspicuous place in the school 
room. 

Sec. 3. To Transmit' Reports to the Superintendent. — 
They shall transmit to the superintendent, at the close of each 



SCHOOL KEGULATIONS. 23 

month and year, full reports, according to blanks furnished 
them, with such additional information as the board may from 
time to time require, or as they may think important to com- 
municate ; and any failure, except from sickness, to file with 
the superintendent the aforesaid reports, according to the lull 
requirements of the forms prescribed, shall debar them from 
the reception of their salary until the same be rendered to the 
satisfaction of the board. 

Sec. 4. The Keys of School Buildings. — They shall, at the 
close of the school year, return the keys of their respec':ive 
buildings to the office of the superintendent ; and also file 
with the superintendent a schedule of the articles used in and 
belonging to said building. 

Sec. 5. Care of School Property. — They shall see to the 
safe keeping of their respective school buildings, the furniture, 
books, and apparatus contained therein ; and the fences, trees, 
shrubbery and out-buildings belonging thereto ; and they are 
required to see that the ashes are properly sifted by the j ani- 
tors, and the " siftings " burned. 

Sec. 6. Pupils not to Appear about the School Premises at 
Unseasonable Hours. — They shall require the pupils not to 
appear in or about the school premises earlier than thirty 
minutes before the commencement of the school, and prevent 
them from annoying the inhabitants in the vicinity of the 
school. 

Sec. 7. Pules of the Board to be Bead to the School. — The 
principals shall, from time to time, read to their respective 
schools so much of the regulations ot the board as will give the 
pupils a correct understanding of the rules by which they are 
to be eoverued. 



24 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 

Sec. 8. Pupils to provide themselves with the necessary 
Teid, Books — Indigent Pupils. — They shall require all pupils 
to furnish themselves with the necessary books in conformity 
with the rules of the board, and no scholar shall be allowed to 
retain a place in the school for a longer period than one week, 
unless so provided ; but should the parents or guardians of the 
pupils in any school present satisfactory proof of their inability 
to furnish their children with the required school books, he 
shall send a written order to the superintendent, with the 
reasons assigned, specifying the books needed. These books 
shall be only lent to indigent pupils, to be returned to the 
principal teacher at or before the close of the year, or when- 
ever the pupil may leave the school. 

Sec. 9, Opening and Closing of School. — The principal in 
each school building shall see that the opening and closing ot 
school, and also the recesses be simultaneous in all the depart- 
ments, except as may be provided in the course of study. 

Amended Jany. 5, 1880, as follows : — " And shall also 
either he present personally, or arrange that at least one 
teacher he present half an hour hefore the time specified for 
commencing School in the morning^ 

Sec. 10. Promotion of Pupils. — They shall, from time to 
time, report to the superintendent the names of such of their 
pupils as are deemed prepared to enter a higher grade. They 
shall, also, at least one week previous to the time fixed for the 
examination of pupils for admission to the free academy, re- 
port in writing, to the superintendent, the names of all the 
pupils in their respective schools who have completed the 
course of study prescribed tor the grammar schools, and also 
their deportment and scholarship for the preceding term. 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 25 

Sec. 11. Exaraination Results. — They shall keep a record 
in a book provided for the purpose, of all the promotions made 
in their respective schools, showing the age and examination 
results of each pupil promoted, which book shall, at all times, 
be open to the inspection of the superintendent and members 
of the board, and when filled, shall be sent to the office ot the 
superintendent tor preservation. 

Sec. 12. Admission of Non-resident Pupils. — Any princi- 
pal admitting non-resident pupils to his school, without proper 
authority, shall be subject to reprimand and discharge. 

Sec. 13. Any principal who shall authorize the use of any 
text book by his pupils other than that authorized by the 
board shall be discharged. 

Sec. 14. No principal shall permit any book or other 
agent to visit the school rooms for the purpose ot taking 
orders for, or selling his goods. 

Sec 15. No principal shall be allowed to sell any books to 
pupils, or permit them to be sold in the building ; but he may, 
as heretofore, sell writing and drawing books, paper, pens, 
ink, rubber erasers, pencils, slates and slate-pencils and pen- 
holders. 

ARTICLE XXX. 

DUTIES OF ASSISTANT TEACHERS. 

Section 1. No Teacher to he Absent without Excuse. — No 
teacher shall absent himself or herself from school or institute, 
without permission of the superintendent. 

Sec 2. Responsibility of Teachers. — There shall be in each 
school building one teacher, who shall be styled the principal, 
who shall exercise, under the direction of the superintendent, a 
general supervision over the school. All other teachers in any 



26 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



school building shall, in all matters relating to the govern- 
ment, instruction and management of the school, follow the 
directions and suggestions of the principal. 

Sec. 3. leachers to acquaint themselves with the Rules of 
the Board. — All teachers in the public schools are required to 
acquaint themselves with the rules and regulations ot the 
board, and the direction of the superintendent, in relation to 
the management and discipline ot their respective depart- 
ments, and carry them into full effect. 

Sec. 4. — Titne and Manner of GoTnmenGing School. They 
shall report to the prin^^ipai at their respective school houses 
at least fifteen minutes before the time specified for commen- 
cing school in the morning, and fifteen minutes in the after- 
noon, and when directed by the principal shall be present 
half an hour before the time specified for commencing school 
in the morning, and open the rooms for the admission of pu- 
pils, and enforce all the rules of order for school hours. (As 
amended January 5th 1880,) 

(The following was adopted Nov. lSth,l878:) Resolved, That 
the Superintendent be authorized to direct the Principals of 
the Public Schools to either be present themselves, or to see 
that at least one teacher be present at each school, half an 
hour before the time for opening the school in the morning. 

Sec. 5. Dejportment of Pupils. — It shall be the duty of: 
all teachers to exercise a carefal supervision over their pupils 
while in the School rooms and about the School premises, in 
order to prevent any improper conduct, and report to the 
Principal the name of any pupil whose influence is such as to 
injure the reputation ot the school ; and, when deemed neces- 
sary, extend their supervision over pupils going to and from 
school. 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 27 



Sec. 6. Care of School Premises. — Thej shall take care 
that the School Building, Furniture, Apparatus, Maps, &c. , 
in the same, as well as the out l>uildings, fences and other 
school property, books loaned to indigent pupils and books 
of reference, be not defaced or injured ; and they shall imme- 
diately upon the discovery of any injury, report the same to 
the Principal. 

Sec. 7. Teachers to give Notice when Absent. — They 
shall, when obliged, from sickness or other cause, to be absent 
from school, at any time, give immediate notice thereof to the 
Superintendent, that, if necessary, he may appoint a substitute ; 
and any teacher failing to comply with the provisions of this 
section shall be suspended, and tjnly restored by a vote of the 
Board. 

Sec. 8. Ventilation and Temperature. — They shall en 
deavor to secure a uniform temperatuie in their school rooms, 
and use all proper means to avoid those injurious extremes of 
heat and cold which result from inattention to this subject. 
At recess the teacher shall in all cases see that a proper sup- 
ply of fresh air is admited into the room. 

Sec. p. Manner of Admitting Pupils to the Several Da- 
partments. — It shall be the duty of all assistant teachers to re- 
fer all pupils applying for admission to the principal, tor ex- 
amination and classification, according to the standard adopt- 
ed by the board ; and shall, when so classified, if residents of 
the city, register their names, ages and place of residence. 

Sec. 10. Teachers'' Institute. — They shall meet at such 
times and places, out of school hours, as the Superintendent 
may direct, for the purpose of promoting the interests of Pub- 
lic School Education in the city. 



28 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



Sec, 11. Visit to Parents of Pupils. — It is expected of 
the teachers, so far as it is consistent with their other duties, 
that they will endeavor to make themselves acquainted with 
the parents or guardians of their pupils, in order to receive 
their aid and co-operation, and the better to understand the 
characteristics and wants of the children. 

Sec. 12. Manner of Keeping Records .ond Class Boohs — 
The teachers in the Grammar and Intermediate schools, and 
Free Academy, shall keep a daily record of the scholarship, de- 
portment, and amount of absence and tardiness of each pupil. 
The scholarship and deportment of each pupil shall be 
marked on a scale varying from to 5 — a cypher being a 
failure and 5, perfect ; 4, good ; 3, tolerable ; 2, indifferent : 
1, very poor. This record shall be open to the inspec- 
tion of any Commissioner, or tlie Superintendent, and the pu- 
pils at all proper time;^ ; and the registers containing the at- 
tendance and deportment shall^ when filled up, be sent to the 
officeof the Superintendent. The teachers of the Primary 
schools or departments are excused from keeping class regis- 
ters but they shall keep registers showing the attendance of 
the pupils and their tardiness. 

Sec. 13. Assistaoit Teachers shall report in full, at the end 
of each month and term, on the blanks provided, to the Prin- 
cipal ; and no teacher shall be entitled to compensation in 
full for services, unless these reports have been fully made. 

Sec. 14. Sweeping Not to he done in School Hours. — 
Teachers shall be held responsible for the neat and tidy ap- 
pearance of their school rooms, and shall not allow them to be 
swept during school hours. 

Sec. 15. School Houses to he used only for School Pur- 
poses. — Ko use whatever shall be made of any school house, 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 29 

other than for the legitimate objects of the school, without the 
consent of the Board. 

Sec. 16. I^o Subscription Papers to he Circulated. — No 
Subscription paper shall be circulated in any of the public 
schools, nor any collection or contribution for any purpose to 
be taken therein. 

Sec. 17. Age at which Pupils may he admitted. — Teach- 
ers shall not admit any pupils to their respective schools who 
are under 5 or more than 21 years of age, and they shall re- 
quire parents to furnish satisfactory evidence of the age of chil- 
dren admitted. 

Sec. 18. Text Books to he Authorized. — No text book 
shall be used or introduced by any teacher except those pre- 
scribed by the Board. 

Sec. 19. To Report Indigent Pupils. — Teachers having 
indigent pupils in their departments, not provided with text 
books, shall report the same to the Principal. 

Sec. 20. The numher of Days taught to he Certified to. — 
Each teacher shall be required to give a correct and faithful 
record, at the end ot each month, to the Finance Committee, 
of the number of days taught, the number of times punctual, 
and the amount ot time lost by absence ; and the salary of any 
teacher failing in this shall be withheld until such certificate 
shall have been made to the satisfaction of said Committee. 

Sec. 21. Teachers Visiting Schools. — The teachers in 
each department may be allowed to visit other departments of 
the fame grade in the discretion of the Superintendent. (As 
amended January 5th, 1880.) 



30 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



ARTICLE XXXI. 



DUTIES OF PUPILS. 



Section 1. Untidy PapHs not to he allowed in Softool — No 
cuild who comes to school without proper attention having been 
given to dress or personal appearance shall not be permitted 
to remain, but shall be sent home to be put in proper order 
for school. 

Sec. 2. Ohanqe of Sohool. — Any pupil about to remove to 
another district shall notify the Principal, and obtain his cer- 
tificate of transfer, showing his grade of scholarship and de- 
portment before he shall be admitted to any other public 
school and teachers are hereby required to reject such appli- 
cants until they have complied vi^ith the provisions of this sec- 
tion. 

Sec. 3. Classification. — All pupiJs shall be classified, on 
examination, according to their attainments, and enter such 
division or grade, and pursue the studies in such order as the 
principals shall direct in conformity with the rules of the 
Board. 

Sec. 4. Certifioati of Promotion. — No pupil shall be pro- 
moted from one grade to another without a certificate of 
transfer from the superintendent; and after such transfer has 
been tendered, he shall not be allowed to recite in any class, 
or take part in any exercise of the grade or division from 
which he shall have been promoted. 

gEO_ 5. — Won resident Pupils. No pupil who is a non- 
resident of the city shall be admitted to any public school 
except by vote of the board, or by permission of the superin- 
tendent and a receipt from him, showing that tuition had been 
paid. (As amended January 5, 1880.) 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 31 

Skc. 6. Absentee Rule. — Every scholar in ttie free academy 
who yhall be absent three half days, in the graimnar or inter- 
mediate schools six half days, and in the primary schools eight 
half days, in four consecutiv^e weeks, without an excuse from 
the parent or guardian, given either in person or by written 
note, satisfying the teacher that his absence was caused by his 
own sickness, sickness in the family, or some urgent necessity, 
shall forfeit his seat in the school; and the teacher shall forth- 
with notify the parent and the superintendent that the pupil 
is suspended. No pupil thus suspended shall be restored to 
the school till the parent or guardian has given satisfactory 
assurance that the pupil will be punctual in the future, and 
obtained permission from the superintendent for him to return. 

Sec. 7. Irregularity and Tardiness. — All puj^ils who 
are irregular, tardy, indolent or inattentive may be suspended; 
and all pupils who by reason of irregularity, tardiness, indo- 
lence or inattention, have fallen behind in their classes, may 
be placed in the grade or class below. No pupil thus sus- 
pended shall be restored to the school except under the condi- 
tion specified in section 6 of this article. (As amended Jan- 
uary 5, 18S0.) 

Sec. 8. Pupils required to Report themselves to the Su- 
perintendent. — Pupils will not be allowed to attend the pub- 
lic schools, who persist in any course or habits calculated to 
degrade them, or indulge in course or vulgar language, or who 
shall conduct himself or herself in an improper manner, or 
act in any way to render them obnoxious to the public or the 
school or whose influence is such as to injure the reputation 
of the school; and any pupil so oftending or acting shall be 
required to report to the superintendent; and until he has ful- 
filled this requirement, he shall not be allowed to continue in 
school. (As amended January 5, 1880.) 



32 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



Sec. 9. Written lixcuses. — No pupil shall be permitted to 
leave school at recess, or at any other time before the close of 
school, except in case ot sickness or some urgent necessity, or 
by a written request from the parent or guardian. 

Sec. 10. Deportment. — All pupils are required to conform 
to the regulations of the school, and obey promptly all direc- 
tions of the teacher; to observe good order and propriety of 
deportment; to be diligent in study, respectful to schoolmates, 
and to avoid all social intercourse during study hours. 

Sec. 11. Assembling about the School Building. — Pupils 
shall not be permitted to assemble about the school builings 
at an unreasonable time before the comtnenceinent of school 
or remain after being dismissed. 

Sec. 12. Suspension of Pupils. — For open diaobedience, 
improper conduct, insubordination, or any act or thing pro- 
hibited or disallowed by any of these school reg- 
ulations the pupil may be suspended by the 
the principal or expelled by a commissioner or the 
superintendent, immediate notice of which shall be given to 
the parent or guardian, and superintendent, and shall only be 
re-admitted by the superintendent in case of suspension, and 
by a vote of the board in case of expulsion; and in all cases of 
expulsion, by a commissioner or the superintendent, due no- 
tice shall be given to the board at their first meeting there- 
after. 

Sec. 13, Penalty for Injuring School Property. — Schol 
ars who shall be guilty of defacing or injuring any of the 
school property shall pay in full for all damages; and, in de- 
fault of which, they shall be suspended from the school, and 
be re-admitted only by permission of the board. 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 33 

Sec, 14. AIL pui?ils to he present at Examination. — Any 
scholar who shall absent himself or herself from examination 
without permission of the teacher, or who fails to render suffi- 
cient excuse for such absence, shall not be allowed to return to 
school or enter any other public school, without the consent 
of the superintendent. 

Sec. 15. Transfers of Pupils, — Any pupil attending any 
of the public schools shall be required to procure a ticket of 
transler trom the superintendent, before being received in any 
other school. No pupil shall be allowed to attend a public 
school in a district other than that in which he resides,without 
the permission of the superintendent, and procuring a trans- 
fer from him therefor, subject, however, to the approval of the 
commissioner of the ward where such pupils resides. (As 
amended January 5th, 1880.) 



ARTICLE XXXII. 

GENERAL REGULATIONS. 

Sec. 1. School Year and Vacations. — The school year 
shall commence on the first Monday of September, and shall 
consist of forty-three weeks, including holidays and interven- 
ing days; and these shall be divided into three terms; the fall 
term shall end on the 24th day of December; and the second, 
or winter term, shall commence on the second day of January, 
except that when the second day of January occurs later in 
the week than Wednesday, then it shall commence on the 
following Monday, and end on the third Friday in April. 
The spring or summer term, shall commence on the first 
Monday in May, and end on the last Friday in June. 



34 SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 



Sec. 2. School ^Examination. — The general visitation and 
inspection of schools shall occur during the last three weeks 
of the winter term. 

Sec 3. Holidays, — The following holidays shall be granted 
to all the schools : Every Saturday, thanksgiving day, Wash- 
ington's birthday, Christmas day, New Year's day, and the 
intervening days between Christmas and New Year's, and 
fast day by public proclamation. 

Sec. 4. School Sessions. — The morning session of all the 
schools shall commence at 9 o'clock and close at 12, The 
afternoon session shall commence at 1^ o'clock and close at 4 
o'clock; provided, however, the committee on organization 
may, in their discretion, change the time for closing the lower 
grades. 

Sec. 6. Night x^cAoo^.— (Repealed Nov. 7th. ^ ^11.) 
ARTICLE XXXIIL 

SPECIAL RULES FOR THE FREE ACADEMY. 

Sec 1. Faculty. — The faculty of the academy shall be 
composed of a principal, a vice-principal, a preceptress, an 
assistant preceptress and such assistant teachers as shall from 
time to time be required. (As amended March 29, 1880.) 

Sec 2. School Register. — The principal of the academy 
shall keep a register of the name, age and residence of all 
pupils attending the same, the time of their entrance, the 
school (whether public or private) from which they were re- 
ceived, and also the names of all such as have graduated and 
received certificates or diplomas, and the standing which they 
held at the time of leaving school. He shall also keep a list 



SCHOOL REGULATIONS. 35 

of the names of all pupils who have been suspended, dis- 
missed or expelled from said school, and the reasons therefor. 

Sec. 3. Management of Academy. — The general manage- 
ment and discipline of the academy shall be under the control 
of the principal, and in his absence, or while he is otherwise 
engaged, the same shall be under the control of the vice- 
principal. The vice principal shall, under the direction of the 
principal, have charge of the boys' room, supervise the moving 
of classes and shall see that good order is maintained through- 
ouc the building. The preceptress, and in her absence 
the assistant preceptress, shall, under the direction of the 
principal, have charge of the girls' room, (As amended March 
29, 1880.) 

Sec. 4. Teacher s' Meeting at Academy. — The teachers 
of the academy shall meet once a week, at such time as the 
principal may appoint, for consultation in regard to the in- 
terests of the school. 

Sec. 5. Qualificatiion for Adm^ission.. — No ' pupil under 
fourteen years of age, or who has not passed the regents' 
examination shall be admitted to the academy. (As amended 
Ma7 5th, 1879.) 

Sec. 6. Forfeiture of Seat in the Academy. — Pupils of the 
academy who vacate their seats four consecutive weeks shall be 
re-admitted only on the recommendation of the principal, and 
by a special vote of tne board of education. All pupils admit- 
ted shall be on probation the first term ; and if, at the end of 
that or any other terra, they do not hold a fair position in 
their classes, they shall be withdrawn from school. 

Sec. Y. Condition of Graduation. — No pupil shall be grad- 
uated from the academy, unless he or she shall have a regents' 



36 SCHOOL KEGULATIONS. 

certificate, and shall have been a regular attendant, and com- 
pleted the course of study, and passed a written examination 
in the different branches. The standard of graduation shall 
not fall below 75 per cent, on any one branch. The examina- 
tion shall be conducted under the direction of the committee 
on tree academy. (As amended Oct. 6, 1879.) 

Sec. 8. Diplomas. — Students having completed the required 
course to the satisfaction of the faculty, and having the 
requisite scholarship, shall receive suitable diplomas, signed by 
the faculty, the president of the board of education and school 
superintendent. 

(Note — Section One was added March 29, 1880, and the number of the other sections 
changed as follows : i to 2, and 2 to 8 and so on.) 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



020 j20 349 4 # 



